According to Sandy

On Friday December 21, 2018, Winter arrives in the Northern Hemisphere, (some places more dramatically than others) but it’s the Winter Solstice nevertheless and always in tandem is the Capricorn Sun. This Earth sign is ambitious, efficient, grounded and practical. The 10^th sign of the Zodiac can keep us busy networking, tuning up career moves, and organizing whatever needs to be shaped up. Make something happen. Just don’t get so bogged down in responsibilities and being “in charge” that you become rigid and cautious. Fun can still be had!

There are 2 major planet transits for Capricorn right now:

~Saturn, planet of boundaries & discipline – rules Capricorn so its influences will be tweaked. The visit started 12/19/17, will end 12/20/2020. Mature decisions, duty, responsibility are all highlighted for hopefully good results down the line.

~Pluto, planet of power & transformation – has been in Capricorn since 2008.(Will move on in 2023) – fosters deep feelings, possible changes in career direction, upheaval, regeneration.

Regardless of your birth date, we can still feel Capricorn’s influence as we reach for an upgrade in status, get a thrill directing traffic and telling people what to do and where to go. Being the “top dog” is not a burden. Being in charge is welcome – fun for the boss, but maybe not so much for the employee? Remember to be careful with how you treat others, you can be authoritative with honey, rather than vinegar.

Capricorn Sun = December 21, 2018 * 5:23 PM EST / 2:23 PM PST

*Gemstone: Obsidian, Onyx *Power color: Black, Gray * Body Part: Bones

FYI:  “The Winter Solstice occurs exactly when the Earth’s axial tilt is farthest away from the sun at its maximum of 23° 26′. Though the winter solstice lasts only a moment in time, the term is also a turning point to midwinter or the first day of winter…The seasonal significance of the winter solstice is in the reversal of the gradual lengthening of nights and shortening of days.” (per Wikipedia)

Saturday and Sunday’s Libra Moon, December 1 & 2, 2018, urges us to beautify, socialize, and seek harmony in our surroundings.

The 7^th sign of the Zodiac, ruled by lovely, romantic planet Venus has the “scale of justice” as an Astrology symbol. No surprise that balance and cooperation are important. (Persuade someone over to your point-of-view? Find a compromise?) It could be the start of all kinds of relationship possibilities – personal and business.

Air sign Libra also fosters artistic expression. So, create something, be charming, be social – make it a beautiful weekend!

I’ve held off and was able to control my shock and horror when I saw the “Christmas in July days” advertised on assorted Home Shopping channels. I’ve even refrained from snarkish mutterings while rolling my cart past twinkling displays in Costco. A TV channel (not to be named) is launching Christmas themed movies on Halloween. I am NOT a Grinch, but, it is too soon.

I love the holidays – the smells, the sounds, the food, the ribbons & boxes, the door stopper fruit cake & all the glittery stuff that comes with the season. (Those little white lights wrapped around shrubs or trees make me smile.) I will flood family, friends & neighbors with good wishes, good vibes, happy salutations, etc, urging all to be thankful and grateful for what we have. And, I think keeping a decorated tree in your living room all year long is anyone’s prerogative – enjoy. However, “Jingle Bells” in Wal-Mart in August is too soon. The stomach rolling, dancing Santa and the wiggling mounted fish should only be seen in the dead of winter – not in Walgreens in September. Listening to Burl Ives singing “Have a Jolly, Jolly Christmas” in an elevator before Halloween is too soon.

Please, don’t get me wrong and dismiss this post as just a ranting whine of a woman of a certain age. It’s an observation. Yes, I know I “observed” this “too early” Xmas situation last year and the year before that & I understand my missive will change nothing – but, it clears my air!

I love the Christmas holidays, but July, August, September, October – TOO SOON!

Beginning 8/18/18, the Moon will be in Jupiter ruled Fire sign Sagittarius both Saturday & Sunday. A Sagittarius Moon will have us getting out and about, seeing people, being optimistic. We can all use the uplifting, genial vibe right now.

Communication planet Mercury, which has been Retrograde since 7/25/18, stops and starts its forward (Direct) motion also on 8/18/18 PDT. It will take a few days to pick up speed and take us out of the “snafu” zone, so continue to pay attention to details.

Have an upbeat, powerful weekend!

Settle down, get focused, Mercury –  planet of communications, transportation, education, health, medical treatments, business negotiations and of course technical gadgets – will go Retrograde on Wednesday 7/25/18 in creative, fun, Fire sign Leo. This isn’t tragic, but it could cause disruptions, missed connections, botched contracts, etc. Needless to say, we can all do without any unnecessary confusion. Pay attention to the details!

Of course, there are chores and plans that must be dealt with regardless of what Mercury is doing. Can we stave off any potential mischief and mayhem that a back pedaling Mercury portends? Maybe not completely, but we can certainly take precautions so that anxiety packed snafus can be avoided (or at least lessened). Back up all the tech stuff, check batteries, pause before hitting that “send” button, verify travel plans, be meticulous and be careful. It can save you time by not having to fix or repeat things later – such as missing a signature on a contract, the check really does get lost in the mail, catching the wrong plane, (my favorite: Paris, Texas instead of the one in France), etc.

My usual suggestions for Mercury Retrograde: review, reconsider, re-think, revisit. See it as an opportunity to make adjustments and corrections where needed.

Hey, we still gotta show up, life will go on!

*Mercury Retrograde:  *7/25/18 – 10:03 PM PDT *7/26/18 – 1:03 AM EDT       (Until 8/19/18)

FYI: Mercury just “appears” to go backwards. Planets only move forward, however, due to the earth’s changing speed as it orbits around the Sun, the positions are such that it looks like a reverse motion from earth.

Good day Sunshine! We can all experience a little bit of “Sun King” energy for the next few weeks regardless of actual Astrology sign. The Sun moves into Leo, the Fire sign it rules, on Sunday July 22, 2018.  “Regal” is the key word as it shines and heats the talent, self confidence, fun and love areas of life. Be active, upbeat, and magnanimous. You don’t have to give everyone you meet diamonds or tip $100s to the hot dog vendor, just ooze that Leo charm and you will be looked at, admired, loved.

Communication planet Mercury will be transiting dramatic, attention seeking Leo until 9/6/18. Verbal and written interactions may be livelier and sharper. Remember to share the conversation, let someone else get a word in – it’s not all about you.

BTW- Mercury is Retrograde from 7/25 to 8/18/18 – pay attention to details, no sloppy twitter / FB posts and oversee tech gadgets. (Can we still be careful, while experiencing sudden, unexplained cravings for sparklers, sequins and confetti?)

Enjoy the spotlight!

*Sun into Leo: July 22, 2018 * 5:01PM EDT / 2:01 PM PDT

**Gemstone – Tiger’s Eye *Power colors- Gold, orange (Sun colors) * Body Part – Heart (…of a lion!)

On Saturday July 21, 2018, the Harlem Book Fair is celebrating its 20^th anniversary with spoken word events, exhibit booths, music, panel discussions and children’s activities. It’s a great way to spend a Saturday in the city.

“The vision of the Harlem Book Fair is to partner with local and national leadership organizations under the banner of literacy awareness, affirming HBF as the nation’s largest African American literary event celebrating family literacy, community empowerment, and community cooperation. “

Harlem Book Fair

Saturday, July 21, 2018 * 10 AM – 6 PM

West 135th Street  (Betw. Malcolm X Boulevard &

Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Boulevard) Harlem, NY

It’s a Taurus Moon beginning early Saturday morning July 7, 2018 lasting until early Monday. Feeling beautiful, stubborn and material? It might be the vibrations of this fixed, security focused Earth sign guided by the elegant, luxury loving planet Venus.

There are possibilities of it being a determined weekend tackling those finances (how will you use your money the last 6 months of the year?) or a weekend filled with pleasurable pursuits (sharing decadent chocolate cake, with raspberry filling). Just depends. Taurus speaks to the obstinate bull in us and also our attraction to life’s sensual goodies. Hmmmm, which way to go?

Just remember that not all things are either/or. “AND” can often work very well too.

Make it a delicious, productive weekend!

On Wednesday in the West and then in the early morning of Thursday in the East, the Lunar orb is lit up and “Full” in Capricorn. (The Sun is in the opposite sign of Cancer.) The Zodiac sign that houses a Full Moon will have its traits and characteristics heightened for a few days.

The practical, earthy, Saturn ruled, 10^th sign of the Zodiac is about ambition, authority, duty. Capricorn leans towards long term goals, managing a career, creating success (whatever that means to you) and reaching for the top. Are your personal actions and business strategies producing results?

Take the time to figure out a path to handle what is necessary. We can use Capricorn’s Full Moon energy to detail and finalize projects. Work to complete plans that move you closer to what you want.

*Capricorn Full Moon:  6/27. 9:53 PM (PDT) & 6/28. 12:53AM (EDT)

Yes, the “livin’ is easy” as we greet the Summer Solstice, on Thursday June 21, 2018 with a frozen delicious treat sitting under a large Sun umbrella.

Besides being the longest day of the year, in the Northern Hemisphere, it also means the Sun has moved into the sign of Cancer, the Moon ruled 4^th sign of the Zodiac. This Water sign is emotional, moody, nurturing and concerned with home and family. (I think Cancers make good actors – all those deep, vibrating feelings can be released by playing out their secret selves on stage.) We will all be under this sign’s sensitive and caring influences.

Communication planet Mercury transits Cancer from 6/13 until 6/29/18 – people can be testy and super sensitive, so be careful with what you write or speak. Seemingly innocent interactions can start out great and then escalate into a hot mess – everyone winds up feeling “wounded”.

Let Cancer’s protective, sympathetic and kind “homey” energy take center stage. Use it well and enjoy the love along with the ice cream. Have a super Summer!

*Sun in 1^st degree of Cancer = Summer Solstice:

June 21, 2018 – 6:07 AM PDT / 3:07 AM EDT

*Gemstone – Emerald * Power colors- silver, pale gray (Moon colors) *Body Part – Breasts